Switch handle



Au 16, 1932. GU'ETT 1,871,605

SWITCH HANDLE Filed Sept. 2, 1931 INVENTOR MONROE GUETT a 2:219 @320 wvzeys Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MONROE GUETT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE ARROW-HART 8c HEGEMAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT SWITCH HANDLE Application filed September 2, 1931. Serial No. 560,820.

This invention relates to a handle for a snap switch. More particularly itrelatesto a handle for a snap switch of the type shown and described in my copending application 6 Serial No. 502,225, filed December 13, 1930.

It is an object of this invention to provide a snap switch handle which may beremoved and replaced at will whereby the switch may be transformed from an ordinary switch to the type of switchwhich can only be operated by an authorized person possessing a key or handle which. is especially designed to operate the switch. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a switch embodying my invention part of the switch being broken away to show the ap plication of my invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a section view of the switch shown in Fig. 1, the section being taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing in perspective a portion of the switch mechanism illustrated in Figs 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawing the switch illustrated is alike in construction to the switch shown in my copending application Ser. No. 502,225. The switch base 10 is laminated, being made up of a plurality of parallel in-. sulating sections and has contacts and wire terminals 12 at each side of the base whi'ch are bridged by a movable switch contact 14: mounted upon the switching member 16 which is in turn pivoted upon a switch spindle. The switching member 16 is moved with a snap motion by mechanism, as described in my copending application, comprising a spring 18 and actuating lever 20, the spring being coiled around a sleeve 22 upon the switch spindle 24 and having its ends 18a, 186 out turned to press against the sides of an ofl'set portion 21 of the switch actuator, and at the same time against the sides of an offset portion 17 of the switching lever, these ofi'setportions normally lying one above the other. Upon movement of the actuator 20 through a predetermined angle Ell in tensioningthespring 18, the switching member 16 is released and snapped into its new position in a. well known manner. The mechanism thus far described is the same as that shown and described in my copending application and need not be further elaborated upon in the following description in which the new features of my invention will be described in detail.

Mounted upon the switch spindle 24 is a flanged collar 30 which is pressed along the switch spindle toward the switching member 16 by a coil spring 26. This collar forms a, bearing for the removable switch handle which comprises an insulating thumb 5 piece 32, in which is embedded the end of a bifurcated metallic member 34 formed as shown in detail in Fig. 3. The bifurcations 34a, 3460f this member are bowed at their outer ends to fit around the collar 30. The member 34 is stamped from sheet metal and by reason of its bifurcated construction its ends are resilient. The distance between the ends of the bifurcations is slightly less than the outer diameter of the collar 30, so that pressure must be exerted t0v force the bifurcations 34a, 346 over thecollar and cause them to embrace'it. When the handle is forced into this position, see Fig. 1, it embraces the collar 30 and grips it firmly. The fact that the bifurcations on the end of the handle are resilient and embrace the collar prevents the handle from falling off acci- L dentally and maintains it securely in position 1 until it is forcibly withdrawn.

The offset portion 21 of the actuating member 20 is provided with two recesses, 21a, 216, one opposite-the other on each side of the offset portion just above the collar so that when the handle is forced upon the collar the insides of the upper portions of the bifurcations 21a, 21b fit into the recesses and prevent the handle from moving longitudinally of the switch spindle. As the switch handle is rotated the insides of the bifurcations press against one side or the other of the offset portion 21 of the actuator moving one end or the other 0f the switch spring 18 and putting the spring under tension. When the handle has been moved a 100 certain distance, a ratchet mechanism releases the switching member and the tension of the switch spring, whose end presses against the offset portion 17 of the swiching lever,

causes the switching lever to move with a snap motion from one position to another in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

' The fact that the handle may be removed makes it possible for this switch to be left without an actuating member, so that no one may operate the switch unless he is provided with another handle or a key having a bifurcated end which is adapted to fit into the recesses 21a, 21b, of the switch actuator. Since it is customary for switches of this type to be provided with a cover having a slot for the actuating member or handle to extend through, it would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to manipulate the switch without having a key or handle which was designed particularly for the switch.

I Although the handle is illustrated and described in connection with a switch adapted to take three positions, it will be obvious that my invention is not limited to this switch but may be utilized in connection with switches which only take two positions,

whether they have the same snap mechanism,

as that shown or whether some other snap mechanism is used. The principles of my invention are readily adaptable to all kinds of snap switches therefore I do not limit myself to the specific construction shown.

I claim 1. In a switch, a switch spindle, a switch actuator, a removably mounted switch handle rotatable about said spindle and engageable with said actuator, and resilient means on the end of said handle for holding said handle in operative relation to said actuator and permitting said handle to be pulled away therefrom.

2. In a switch, a. switch spindle, a switch actuator, a removably mounted switch handle rotatable about said spindle and engageable with said actuator, said switch handle having a. bifurcated end, the bifurcations of which are resilient whereby said handle may be forced into and removed from position for operating the switch,

3. In a switch, a spindle, a collar on said spindle, a switch actuator on said spindle, a handle having a bifurcated end adapted to be forced over and embrace said collar and engage said actuator.

41-. In a switch, a switch spindle, a switch actuator on said spindle, said actuator having an offset portion with recesses therein, a removably mounted handle rotatable about said spindle, said handle having a bifurcated end, the bifurcations of which are resilient whereby said handle may be forced into and removed from position for operating the switch, and said bifurcations fitting into said recesses for preventing movement of said handle axially of said spindle independent of said actuator.

5. In a switch, a switch spindle, a collar on said spindle, a switch actuator on said spindle, said actuator having an offset portion, a handle having a resilient bifurcated end adapted to be forced over and embrace said collar and straddle said offset portion.

6. In a switch, a switch spindle, a collar on said spindle, a switch actuator on said spindle, said actuator having an offset portion with recesses therein, a handle having a resilient bifurcated end adapted to be forced over and embrace said collar and straddle said offset portion, said bifurcations fitting in said recesses to prevent movement of said handle axially of said spindle independent of said actuator.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

MONROE GUETT. 

